Mark 1:9–11 (ESV)
The Baptism of Jesus
9 In
those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And
a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
The Gospel of Mark is often referred to as the "Reader's Digest" or condensed version. The Father declares Jesus is His Son as the Spirit descends on Jesus. Jesus’ status as God’s Son makes Him a target of Satan’s assaults (1:12–13). This same dynamic continues in the lives of God’s children
today, as Satan does all that he can to tempt the baptized. Yet, our own Baptism joins us to Christ and clothes us with His righteousness.
I pray: Lord, You humbly stood
in our stead when baptized by John and thereby gave us a share in Your life, death, and resurrection. Let us therefore celebrate our place in God’s family, obeying the Father, dwelling richly in the Spirit, and ever following You. Amen.
Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 1655.